Over 100 nations are affiliated to World Rugby and when I looked at their last AGM pic there were only a few non-white faces among the 30-odd delegates assembled there - notably the SA and Japanese reps. And then I start to wonder why Fiji and Samoa aren't on there when Georgia and Romania were recently added. Just what is the criteria here? Did you know a third of the players at the last World Cup were of Pacific Island origin? More than half the nations involved had at least one in the squad. & Fiji should basically be a first tier nation - certainly ahead of Italy! Their playing numbers are comparable to any of the Celtic nations, they've reached the World Cup quarters twice, they have beaten the Wallabies and Lions, and their 7s team are Olympic Champs. & I also start to wonder about how South Africa keeps getting turned away as a potential World Cup host, despite having the best rugby purpose stadia on the planet and a wonderful climate, and despite having hosted arguably the best tournament to date - way back in 95 (before the transition process kicked in). Professional rugby has become like NFL, dominated by non-whites on the pitch - but by privileged white folks in the boardrooms.
Over 100 nations are affiliated to World Rugby and when I looked at their last AGM pic there were only a few non-white faces among the 30-odd delegates assembled there - notably the SA and Japanese reps. And then I start to wonder why Fiji and Samoa aren't on there when Georgia and Romania were recently added. Just what is the criteria here? Did you know a third of the players at the last World Cup were of Pacific Island origin? More than half the nations involved had at least one in the squad. & Fiji should basically be a first tier nation - certainly ahead of Italy! Their playing numbers are comparable to any of the Celtic nations, they've reached the World Cup quarters twice, they have beaten the Wallabies and Lions, and their 7s team are Olympic Champs. & I also start to wonder about how South Africa keeps getting turned away as a potential World Cup host, despite having the best rugby purpose stadia on the planet and a wonderful climate, and despite having hosted arguably the best tournament to date - way back in 95 (before the transition process kicked in). Professional rugby has become like NFL, dominated by non-whites on the pitch - but by privileged white folks in the boardrooms.